Hera Arkarakas

jewellery designer; traveller; creative; compassionate and easygoing; lover of Starbucks Verona coffee.

What are you doing in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years from now?
10 minutes: I am going to the airport in Miami to pickup my sister in-law Lisa. Good times with her, I truly love her!
10 months:  continue to develop my jewellery collection and I will be in Bangkok working on the new designs for 2013.
10 years: I hope to be living by the ocean designing jewellery and traveling and exploring this beautiful world (my favourite thing to do)!

Who inspires/inspired you?
My parents inspire me. When I look at the life they've lived, moving to Canada from Istanbul, Turkey with no knowledge of the language, to give myself and my brothers a better life filled with opportunity. They worked so hard to fulfill that dream and never complained, It showed me determination and will we can achieve all our dreams.

Who do you want to inspire?
I would love to inspire my children, to show them that all their dreams and inspirations are possible in life with hard work and a positive attitude. Also, that life is filled with challenges but we can overcome anything.

What do you love about yourself?
My positive attitude about life!

What would you change about yourself?
I wish I was more of a morning person. I admire people who wake up and are full of energy, it takes me a cup of coffee and some quiet alone time to get there.

What is your biggest learning experience?
II believe everything in our lives are life experiences and part of our personal journey.

Name the one thing you cannot leave the house without?
I have to say my blackberry even though it is such a typical answer. It's the world we live in and when you are running a business it's important to stay connected.

True confession time. Name your guilty pleasure?
Love massages! Got hooked on them in Thailand. The one I hate to admit is potato chips, salt and vinegar!

What was the last city you visited?
Actually, I'm in Miami right now doing this interview. I love the energy of this city.

What are 3 words your best friends would use to describe you?
Well these are the three words I was told by friends : Creative, Compassionate and Easygoing.

What 5 words would you pass on to anyone listening?
The tag line to my jewellery brand is Live Life, so I say, Live Life make it an adventure.

Coffee or Tea?
Starbucks Verona love it!